Dawn-Euphemia Mayor Al Broad says a plan to put more LCBO outlets in small communities may unlock economic development in Florence.
The hamlet on the edge of Lambton County has been named as one of the communities eligible to open an agency store under a new plan announced by they province. Ontario will allow 87 more grocery stores to sell wine, beer and cider and allow agency stores in 200 communities including Florence.
Officials expect the first stores to open in August and up to 150 locations will be ready by December.
Broad says in 2013, the Old Mill Store applied to have an agency store in Florence but was turned down.
“At that point, they were looking to keep the business open,” he says.
Broad is hopeful the prospect of a new revenue source will kick start some investment including the return of the gas bar.
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